Reforms for End-users Based Irrigation Management: Insight from Central India

Abstract

"The irrigation sector plays a vital role in food production and rural economy. Realizing this, reforms are undertaken world over to modernize irrigation systems. One of the approaches followed in modernization is decentralization of irrigation management functions. This paper discusses the implementation of Irrigation Management Act in Central India where the responsibility of irrigation management was partially transferred to the end users through formation of farmers’ organizations. Emphasis is given to the administrative, governance, institutional and financial reforms carried out as per the act, and the impact these reforms had on irrigation management. The paper shows that the success of such reforms is highly dependent on the effectiveness of program execution and the financial resources available with the government. Such programs will reap intended benefits, if the end users for managing irrigation functions are involved in more effective manner with greater autonomy and delegation of powers. Also in lieu of paucity of government funds to carry out such programs on large-scale, alternative institutional models can be considered to further improve the overall efficiency and management of the irrigation systems."